Members Statement: Education Funding
Mr PALLAS (Treasurer) — I am delighted to inform the house of the opportunities that the Andrews Labor government is providing students in my electorate of Werribee and in greater Wyndham. The 2018 budget invests $96.8 million to build Point Cook south senior secondary college, Wyndham South (Riverwalk) primary school and Davis Creek primary school. That follows on from funding in last year’s budget to build the new Truganina East P–9 and the new Sanctuary Lakes P–9. This is all about meeting demand in Wyndham and ensuring kids can have a great local education. I am also pleased that both the Wyndham South primary and Davis Creek primary will have an early childhood centre co-located on site, as this is an issue of significant concern within the community.
The 2018–19 budget also prepares students to gain practical skills for the jobs of the future. The Wyndham Tech School will soon benefit thousands of Wyndham students, with specialised education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills. We are also making TAFE free for 30 priority courses and 18 preapprenticeship courses to ensure that cost is never a barrier to acquiring good skills for a good job. We are getting things done and making things fair.